One of the big killers of creativity is the game of comparing ourselves with others. We all do it but it has absolutely no use. It does not serve you in any way.
Pick up any magazine about celebrities and just notice how “great” you feel afterwards reading it. If you want to stay where you are and feel insignificant, make sure you consistently read about the rich and famous.
You might not read these magazines. I don’t. But you are probably involved in the comparison game in other ways. It is like we are on a constant search, trying to find someone who does what we do, but much “better”.
Why do we torture ourselves this way?
The comparison game is very cruel and painful. By not going anywhere, we might feel miserable, but we are safe and we know our surroundings. Going for what we desire, ultimately means change, the unknown and that is what we fear the most.
So by finding an “answer” that makes us stop evolving we stay in our own hole.
For example: “This famous guy makes billions of dollars and looks fantastic and has already done everything etc, so there is no point in me pursuing my ideas.”
You are unique.
Even though we are all connected, we are still unique; each wave is part of the ocean but still a unique expression of the water. Your voice, your talents and gifts are worthwhile. Not acknowledging them is the greatest injustice you can do to yourself.
- Maybe your idea looks like someone else’s? – So what? It is still coming from you and so it is not the same.
- Maybe your idea is not new? – So what? Tell me anything today that is not based on older inventions and ideas?
- Maybe it has been said before? – So what? Good things need to be repeated and seen in a new angle. Maybe you will reach a bigger audience who have never heard of this knowledge and it could really make an impact on them?
Who can really claim to be completely original and why is that important? Isn’t that quite a ridiculous claim when you think about how many people there are, if you also include all people who have ever lived?
“Why compare yourself to others if you want to be original? That does not even make any sense.”
Evolution and repetition
I believe that we evolve, and ideas mean different things to different people depending on how they have evolved. Wouldn’t you say that a cave-man, a baby, a 15 year-old, a 90 year-old would interpret things quite differently?
Good ideas are well worth repeating. Do you think what the teacher said in school was original? Why is it suddenly so important that what you do is SO original?
Inspiration
Artists are inspired to create. Inspiration comes from people, nature, relationships, books, ideas, movies, childhood etc. Inspiration means breathing in. Think of breathing in from life right now. Everything you have heard, seen and touched comes from humanity.
Forget about trying to be original.
I say trying to be original makes you end up alienated, alone and disconnected. No, you are a part of the mystery that happens right now, and from that source you create art/gifts for all human kind. It is not about being original and separated. It is about serving humankind as a part of it. And even if what you see has been seen before, new humans are being born everyday who still need to hear these discoveries in order to get support so that they can grow.
What we really need is role-models. Not people we compare ourselves too. Stop comparing yourself with others. It will only make you miserable. But you can learn from others, you can study your role-models. The idea is not to make yourself feel like crap but to inspire yourself, to realize all your possibilities. Just don’t do it with stupid magazines though… 
And be a role-model yourself too. Help others with what you have learned. Not because you think you are more important, but because we share this mystery of life together. We have a responsibility to make the world grow into wider awareness.
The final point is: What makes you inspiring to others, what some would call “original” is when you dare to be who you are. Think of all artists you know of that you respect. It is not because they are so skilled and they have these amazing, ”original” ideas. In fact, sometimes they really are not skilled and their ideas are not original.
No, their greatness lies in pursuing their soul’s passion and creating from there. So, why would you try to copy them? It is impossible. All you can do is pursuing who you are and do ANYTHING from there.
You have a right to pursue your life and understand who you are. You have a right to live life your way. (As long as you don’t break the law of course…)
So what is your passion? Or how do you notice you get caught up in the comparison-game?
Cheers!
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Hello! My name is Samuel and this blog is about "creativeness" and overcoming procrastination. Check out "about" for more info. You can also connect with me via the icons below. Enjoy your stay!
